Problems with connecting to the internet

[MrMajeika]

I have a Samsung R730 laptop with Windows 7. I am having problems connecting to the internet when I first turn on the laptop. It very rarely connects first time, when I turn it on the internet symbol in the bottom right hand corner shows a blue loading circle and then it almost always then goes to a gold star and if i click on it it says next to the name of the network limited connectivity. I have to right click and select troubleshoot problems, but i have to do this a few times to get it to connect. I have talktalk internet and the router is downstairs and my laptop is upstairs so i thought that maybe it is too far away but my smartphone always connects in my room and the signal strength on my laptop is excellent, although when I take my laptop downstairs it connects first time no problem. I have checked for driver updates for the wireless card and it is up to date. Someone suggested to me to disable the manufacturers software and connect to the internet using Windows wireless zero but i think i might be using that i'm not sure how to tell. What could be the problem

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

If you are having difficulty connecting - or staying connected - it may be worth trying a different channel ( from within the router settings ).

There will be about 13 channels but the ones to try are 1 - 6 - 11

 

If you don't know how to do this post back with the make and model number of your router.

[MrMajeika]

Thanks, I know how to change the channel, it is currently set to AutoChannel to automatically find the best channel. It is currently on channel 13. We also have a desktop computer downstairs but that connects fine. I am a bit worried to change the channel as I don't want to mess it up, or will it be ok.

[KenB]

Hi - you can't "mess it up" .... unless you change other things inside the router settings.

Try channel 6 ( 11 is too close to 13 )

 

It could be that your neighbours are using 11 - 12 - 13 and there is a bit of radio interference.

 

If there is no change - try channel 1

You can always change it back to the original settings.

 

Let us know how you get on.

[MrMajeika]

I've changed it to channel 6. Restarted the computer and it connected fine, I'll have to see how it goes and report back if there are any problems as its a bit intermittent

[KenB]

Give it a day or so - let us know how you get on.

[MrMajeika]

Still having the same problem. Turned laptop on this morning and didn't connect automatically. Had to use the troubleshoot and eventually it connected. It came up saying problem with wireless adapter or access point. If I move the computer closer to the door or lift it up it seems to connect easier. What should I try now. That was using channel 6

[KenB]

If I move the computer closer to the door or lift it up it seems to connect easier.

It could be that the signal is poor.

If there are walls between your laptop and the router it may be that, depending on where you are in the house, the signal is better / worse.

 

Try switching the router off for a minute or two and re-boot it again.

 

What is the make and model number of the router ?

 

Can other laptops connect from the same location when yours cannot ?

[MrMajeika]

The router is at the side of a wardrobe in the hall and it has to travel upstairs so I would expect the signal to be weaker. My old laptop used to connect fine and my smartphone connects ok. The router is a D-Link DSL-2780

[KenB]

Can other laptops connect from the same location when yours cannot ?

It would help if we knew that other laptop(s) were having problems too.

 

Have you re-booted the router ?

 

When the connection is down - how do you connect again ?

 

If the laptop has no problem when it is close to the router - I suspect the router signal.

 

You could try a USB wireless adapter

click here

 

I am away for a couple of days - I will pick this up Monday.

[MrMajeika]

I have tried another laptop and it connected no problem.

 

I have re-booted the router but it doesn't seem to make a difference

 

When the connection is down i right-click on the wireless symbol in the bottom right hand corner and select troubleshoot and eventually it reconnects, during this time the other computers in the house remain connected. It is not so much a problem of staying connected, it is getting connected. Once it is eventually connected it is usually fine. Could it be a problem with my network adapter as the other laptop connects.

[KenB]

Hi - just on my way out so will have to be brief...

 

Could it be a problem with my network adapter as the other laptop connects.

This is why we needed to know if other laptops have any problems.

Yes - it could be the network adapter.

This is why I suggested looking at a USB wireless adapter.

 

I know you have checked driver updates - but this time try uninstalling the driver from device manager and re-install.

click here for drivers

 

I will pick this up when I get back

[MrMajeika]

Just turned my laptop on now and it didn't connect. Right clicked and clicked on troubleshoot problems. The troubleshooter started and it coming up asking me to verifly the network key. It then came up with the network properties and the network key was already entered so i clicked ok. It wouldn't connect and came up telling me to investigate router or access point. I then tried the troubleshoot again, this time lifting the laptop of the bed a bit and it connected saying problems detected, Windows cannot connect to the network, and then problems fixed, problem with wireless adapter or access point. I reinstalled the nerwork adapter from device manager but it has made no difference

[KenB]

problem with wireless adapter or access point.

It keeps pointing back to the wireless adapter in your machine.

 

Try a USB wireless adapter

click here

 

You can get these almost anywhere.

It doesn't need to be an expensive one - but some have an external aerial and in your situation this type may be better.

 

I can't guarantee that this will solve your problem but if other laptops are OK and new drivers and a repair indicate wireless adapter problems - it is the next logical step.